Tasting - Rosemount Estate Moscato

Name:  Rosemount Estate

Variety:  Moscato

Region:  Southeast Australia

Country:  Australia

Year:  2012

Price:  $12.00

Winery review:  Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours.  Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses.

My review:  On the nose, this Moscato was an aromatic mix of soapy lemon, apple, and honey. Very sweet on the palate up front, the wine finishes with an acidic, crisp apple backend.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine

Name:  Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine

Variety:  Grenache

Region:  Aragon

Country:  Spain

Year:  2013

Price:  $8.95

Winery review:  The Garnache de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvee, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the US. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine and undeniable minerality.  As it hits the palate, a full-bodied, voluptuous teture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits intermixed with camphor and forest floor.

My review:  This oaked Grenache wine was full of black cherries and oaky, buttery aromas on the nose. On the palate, the wine was dry and rich with tannins. The flavor profile consists of black-fruit and raspberries.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Name:  Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Variety:  Gaglioppo

Region:  Ciro

Country:  Italy

Year:  2009

Price:  $14.00

Winery review:  Don’t let the pale garnet color fool you:  this is a substantial wine.  Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums.  On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine.  Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken.

My review:  This red wine was very aromatic with raisins, prunes, and cranberries, accompanied by spices. On the palate, the wine had a lasting tannic feel and the red-fruit aspects flavors were complimented by hints of spice. However, it felt a little hot on the backend.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Angove Viognier

Name:  Angove

Variety:  Viognier

Region:  South Australia

Country:  Australia

Year:  2009

Price:  $15.00

Winery review:  Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus.  Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork.

My review:  This wine had aspects of peach and tropical fruit on the nose. On the palate, the wine was cool and refreshing on the frontend and finished hot on the backend. Flavors of apricot/peach and citrusy fruit came through on the palate.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Yealand Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Name:  Yealands Estate Seaview Vineyard

Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc

Region:  Marlborough

Country:  New Zealand

Year:  2008

Price:  $21.00

Winery review:  This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops.

My review:  This Sauvignon Blanc had a vegetal nose, with green pepper and grassy scents and subtle mineral hints. On the palate, the wine was light and acidic. The flavor profile was vegetal as well.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine

Name:  Heinz Eifel Shine

Variety:  Reisling

Region:  N/A

Country:  Germany

Year:  2012

Price:  $9.95

Winery review:  This drier-styled Riesling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice.

My review:  The nose of the white wine has floral, honey, peach, and pear components. On the palate, the wine is in the middle between sweet (yet a little tart) and dry; has a crisp, clean, and refreshing feel to it. Has added earthy, mineral taste.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres

Name:  Atlas Cumbres

Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2010

Price:  $15.00

Winery review:  Intense red color with violet highlights, with clean, fresh and complex aromas of berries, plums, figs and pepper. Strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and pleasant tannins. Ideal for: red meats, cheeses and strong sauces.

My review:  This deep red-colored wine has a prune/berry-like and peppery nose, with hints of tobacco. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with tannins. Flavors of red fruit and tart come through, along with hints of smoke and pepper; a little hot on the finish as well.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name:  Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Variety:  Gamay

Region:  Beaujolais

Country:  France

Year:  2013

Price:  $14.00

Winery review:  Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis threaded with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now

My review:  This is my second time tasting this wine (last time being 2/27). Since, this red wine has changed. Now, it gives off more red-fruit and raspberry aromas, unlike dark-fruit and floral before. On the palate, it is still has a chewy and long-lasting tannin component, but the rick fruit flavors are subtle hints now. Still a pleasant wine, but as stated above:  Drink it now, as this wine has changed just in two months.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati Rose

Name:  Bricco dei Tati Rose

Variety:  Barbera

Region:  Piedmont

Country:  Italy

Year:  2013

Price:  $7.95

Winery review:  Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with appetizers.

My review:  On the nose, this rose wine has floral, strawberry, and cherry aromas, much like the winery review. On the palate, the strawberry and cherry are apparent in the light-bodied wine; fairly simple fruity wine.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Frascati Volpetti

Name:  Frascati Volpetti

Variety:  Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco

Region:  Frascati, Lazio

Country:  Italy

Year:  2012

Price:  $7.95

Winery review:  Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonious taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish.

My review:  On the nose, this blended wine has a slight floral, soapy, and fruity nose.  On the palate, the wine is clean and light-bodied with notes of peach and apricot; also acidic with a dry lasting finish.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Toso Moscato

Name:  Toso

Variety:  100% Moscato

Region:  Cossano Belbo

Country:  Italy

Year:  N/A

Price:  $9.95

Winery review:  This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG.Sweet sparkling wine obtained from a careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale straw yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavors, refreshing.Excellent to match desserts, fruit and dried pastries

My review:  On the nose, this Moscato smelled of a bubble bath—soapy, yet sweet and fruity. On the palate, the wine was also sweet and fruity with tropical fruit flavors and hints of citrus. I think this would make a great desert wine.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - El Sierro

Name:  El Sierro

Variety:  Tempranillo / Cabernet Sauvignon

Region:  Valencia

Country:  Spain

Year:  2011

Price:  $7.95

Winery review:  Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knock-out with delicious flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and vanilla all perfectly integrated. The Tempranillo provides wonderful spice and fruit, while the Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and depth with the beautiful use of oak.

My review:  This wine had a strong dark fruit (cherries, plums, blackberries, raspberries), jammy nose. On the palate, it had a medium body, velvety tannins, and more dark fruit flavors. I also got hints of licorice, spice, and oak.  A very in-depth, well-structured wine and my favorite from the tasting.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Omo Ze Bel Merlot

Name:  Omo Ze Bel

Variety:  100% Merlot

Region:  Sicilia

Country:  Italy

Year:  2011

Price:  $6.95

Winery review:  This bright, soft Merlot comes from a hilly vineyard on the Alcesti family estate in beautiful Sicily. It has hints of red cherries and freshly cut hay.  Exceptional value.

My review:  I thought this Merlot had a strong cherry nose. On the palate, it was light-bodied (not a velvety wine), but had a somewhat rough/hot finish to it that lasted. Probably one of my least favorite wines yet.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres

Name:  Atlas Cumbres

Variety:  100% Torrontes

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2010

Price:  $5.95

Winery review:  Yellow colour with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food.

My review:  In addition to floral aromas, this wine smelled of fresh green grapes from the produce section. On the palate, it was crisp and acidic with hints of pineapple and peach. This would make a great light and refreshing wine.

Food:  Did not have with food

Tasting - Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Name:  Avery Quinn

Variety:  100% Chardonnay

Region:  Napa Valley, California

Country:  United States

Year:  2011

Price:  $6.95

Winery review:  The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay.  The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla.  Then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!).

My review:  With apples and cream on the nose, this wine is a classic Napa Valley chardonnay. It was creamy and buttery, yet crisp and acidic on the palate with hints of pear and pineapple; a very refreshing wine.

Food:  Did not have with food